There are a few companies out there now promoting DIYcarbon fiber installation kits.They make the process look really easy. I’m suggesting you give this a bit more thought before diving in.

One example video for DYI carbon fiber installation on the internet shows only a best possible case senario. The wall is barely cracked, any bowing is not apparent, and the wall has no paint to deal with! Gee that looks so easy!

What will you do if you run into problems not addressed in the video…such as walls bowed more than an 1/2″? What if these are settlement cracks instead of hydrostatic pressure cracks? ( carbon fiber will not stabilize settlement problems ) How would you know? What if the walls are wet? What is the correct spacing for the block thickness, or is there any adjustment for backfill dirt height? What about reinforcing window openings? What about shearing at the bottom?…or the cracking near the top ? What about top wall anchoring if the wall is slipping at the top? What if the walls are painted? Carbon fiber will not bond well to paint! How do you get the paint off the walls? What if it’s lead paint? What about corner shearing ? Tuckpointing methods and materials? The epoxies used for this material set up quickly. You will not have a lot of time to waste installing it before it sets up. You must get it right the first time or you can have an expensive mess to deal with!

What kind of support are these people going to provide with their kit? What kind of warranty are you really getting…especially if you don’t get it exactly right? What will they do for you if the wall fails later or you have delamination?

The list goes on and on! Do you think you have all the correct tools, know how and ability to install your own carbon fiber, and get it right so there won’t be problems in the future? If so you are in the minority and I wish you the best of luck! Sometimes trying to save some money can end up costing you a lot more than just money! Think about it. 20 years experience…or try it yourself? Carbon fiber, even at DYI pricing is really expensive…if you don’t get it right.

When additional foundation education is required, EBR can provide the valuable training needed to bring your people up to speed. We’ve taught realty sales people, building inspectors, condominium officials, ongoing community education classes, trade show seminars and more. Our class will be tailored to your particular needs. From wall repair, to the water in the corner, to what the direction of those cracks mean, we can help your people understand what they are seeing when they are looking at a foundation issue. If you would like an informative foundation education seminar contact us for more information.

Our skilled block masons are also highly skilled concrete finishers. From driveway concrete removal and replacement to new installations and flatwork, you will find our pricing competitive and our quality second to none. All driveway and flatwork installations include a stone base and reinforcing wire mesh, as per city codes. All debris is hauled away and the site is cleaned up once the project is completed. EBR will be happy to discuss your project of 100 square feet or larger.

We can also seal your concrete surface with a high quality sealer which penetrates the surface, adds additional psi strength to the concrete and waterproofs the surface…prolonging its life. See www.densicrete.com for more information.

EBR now can totally remove and replace your old broken, cracked, leaking and heaved or sunken concrete basement floor! All appliances are either removed or suspended while demolition is in progress.

All concrete and floor material is removed, an interior perimeter subfloor drainage system is installed and a new 3 1/2″ thick smooth troweled floor is poured in place. This repair is competitive in price with an overlay pebblestone finish! Why cover over an ongoing problem when you can start over with a new floor with a drainage system !!!

EBR has over 15 years experience with slope erosion and stabilization repair methods. We will be able to help evaluate the scope of the problem, recommend the next course of action, arrange for proper soil testing and analysis when needed and a quotation for the work.

Sorry, We have temporarily suspended our slope work for 2012.

Advantages:

Protect your property and stop further slope movement and damage.

Most repairs are expected to last 30-50 years

Many repair and stabilization projects can be effectively accomplished from the top of the site and completed within 2-3 weeks depending on weather

Once the basement walls have been repaired EBR can provide painting services to dress up the interior surfaces and seal out any potential moisture. Mold and mildew proof coatings are available as well as the standard interior paint coatings. Expect the walls to be coated to be properly cleaned and prepared before work begins. Work will be continuous until completed and expect a clean repair area when we are done. Note: For carbon fiber installations the carbon locations need to be primed or scuffed up for better paint adhesion….and of course we can handle that too!

Advantages:

Your basement walls will be brighter, which will make the entire basement seem larger, brighter, cleaner and more inviting. You’ll be more likely to utilize your basement space to its fullest potential when it’s a pleasant area to spend time in.The fresh and clean appearance really helps sell a house. A quality wall coating will also seal out humidity and light moisture problems.

Disadvantages:

Additional cost / time involved

Waterproofing paint will not be as effective… if the wall has beem previously painted.

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There are a few companies out there now promoting DIY carbon fiber installation kits. They make the process look really easy. I’m suggesting you give this a bit more thought before diving in. One example video for DYI carbon fiber installation on the internet shows only a best possible case scenario. The wall is barely […]

This is a picture (click on image to enlarge) of a wall anchor and a Fortress carbon fiber grid strap. The reason both repair products are in this picture is that the wall anchors weren’t working very well and wall movement needed to be stopped. With a wet rainy spring last year the wall anchors […]

PROBLEM: A 5 year old home in Cleveland, Ohio developed a structural crack at the inside basement corner of the garage caused by hydrostatic pressure. The home owners required a strong repair which could be done from the inside. They did not want a steel beam or steel anchors installed at the corner. They also […]